In Pictures: Nomads of the sea

The Bajau people live on their boats in the coral-rich ocean between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

"From my grandfather to my grandchildren, we all live on the boat. We don't have gods, so my grandfather is like a god to me. He said I cannot stay on land. It's like a curse from him," says Bungsali, an older man who does not know his exact age.

Bungsali is one of the Bajau Laut, also known as sea gypsies - an indigenous ethnic group who have a seaborne lifestyle. They originally come from the Philippines' Sulu Archipelago, coastal areas of Mindanao and northern Borneo. But they roam freely throughout the so-called "Coral Triangle" between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, living on their boats. The ocean is their home, their main source of food and income and, for the children, their playground.

In Malaysia's eastern Sabah state, the Bajau are believed to be the second-largest ethnic group. However, their exact numbers are unknown.

But fewer and fewer Bajau Laut still practise a boat-based lifestyle. Many have moved to live in small stilt houses built on coral reefs or on small islands. One hundred years ago, the waters off Malaysia's Semporna district were full of gypsy boats. But now, only a few remain. In the near future, there might not be any Bajau Laut left living on the boats, only legends and stories will be all that remain.

The Bajau Laut, also known as sea gypsies, are an indigenous ethnic group who live a nomadic lifestyle. Many live on their boats, roaming in the Coral Triangle, while others settle in small stilt houses built on reefs or islands.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

In the Malaysian state of Sabah, Bajau are thought to be the second-largest ethnic group. However, their exact numbers are unknown.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

A woman bales water from her boat, close to Sibuan island in Malaysia. More and more of the Bajau are moving to live on land.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Bajau children go out into the ocean to look for seafood during low tide. Whenever the weather permits, they take bowls and spoons and swim or crawl underwater looking for food.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Bajau children play in the waters off Mabul island, Malaysia. Water is their home, their main source of food and their playground.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Aranaki shaves on his boat near Semporna town.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Langring brushes his teeth from the side of a boat early in the morning.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Lakit is applying burak - a powder made of water weeds or rice and spice - to her face to cool and protect it from the sun.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

The Bajau Laut, also known as sea gypsies, are an indigenous ethnic group who live a nomadic lifestyle. Many live on their boats, roaming in the Coral Triangle, while others settle in small stilt houses built on reefs or islands.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

In the Malaysian state of Sabah, Bajau are thought to be the second-largest ethnic group. However, their exact numbers are unknown.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

A woman bales water from her boat, close to Sibuan island in Malaysia. More and more of the Bajau are moving to live on land.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Bajau children go out into the ocean to look for seafood during low tide. Whenever the weather permits, they take bowls and spoons and swim or crawl underwater looking for food.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Bajau children play in the waters off Mabul island, Malaysia. Water is their home, their main source of food and their playground.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Aranaki shaves on his boat near Semporna town.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Langring brushes his teeth from the side of a boat early in the morning.

Berta Tilmantaite/Transterra Media

Lakit is applying burak - a powder made of water weeds or rice and spice - to her face to cool and protect it from the sun.